TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, is a joint disorder that affects 35 million people in the United States. Possibly a chronic condition, TMJ is defined by pain in the jaw, ear, or mouth and may result in a toothache, migraine, or muscle spasms. TMJ treatment is possible with over the counter medication or at a TMJ center wherein one may obtain a mouth guard, splint, or physical therapy.

However, in some cases, such as when your TMJ may be caused by misaligned teeth, proper facial pain management can only be found with a dentist. This may be a problem for those not only with chronic TMJ but with a chronic phobia of dentistry. Luckily, sedation dentistry can be used in regards to fear of the dentist in order to manage your TMJ.

What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry utilizes medication to relax and sedate patients to make them less anxious in the dentist chair. However, unlike those under general anesthesia, patients under sedation dentistry are still awake.

What kind of sedation is offered to me?
Unless you’re undergoing surgery, most dentists utilize minimal or moderate sedation in the form of a pill or laughing gas. Laughing gas is often used during the removal of wisdom teeth and is characterized as the inhalation of nitrous oxide and oxygen through the nose in the form of a mask.

Another common form of sedation is Halcion in the form of a pill. The patient takes the pill an hour before the dentist appointment and generally renders the patient drowsy, but awake. Patients who undergo this type of sedation dentistry are unable to drive home after the appointment because of the likelihood of them falling asleep at the wheel.

What if I suffer from sleep apnea?
For those with obstructive sleep apnea, talk to your doctor before you undergo sedation at your dentist’s office. While sedation dentistry that utilizes minimal sedation does not use general anesthesia, it may still affect any possible complications.

If you’re suffering from chronic TMJ but are too anxious to seek dental treatment for your jaw, consider sedation dentistry as a viable option to reduce your stress and increase your chances of seeking treatment.

Many American adults are unsatisfied with the condition of their teeth. Yet, many people also avoid routine dental care. It is sometimes easier to just put off the dental problem, rather than deal with it. However, the sooner that you begin to implement your healthy dental routine, the sooners you can be satisfied with your smile. A good dental care routine contains the following habits.

Brush and floss daily
One of the easiest things you can do for your healthy dental care is to brush and floss daily. It is recommended that you brush three times per day, after each main meal. You should also floss twice per day, once in the morning and again, in the evening. Only 22% of people claim to floss daily. Not only does avoiding flossing make routine dental cleanings more painful, but it can e

Everyone knows that practicing good dental hygiene is important. Your chances of needing cavities removed, fillings inserted, and other more in-depth procedures relating to improving your dental health will be lowered, your smile will be picture-perfect, and having fresh breath is always a bonus! However, for some, navigating an environment where they can’t communicate because of a language barrier can be troubling — and may lead to them simply not visiting a dentist’s office or a doctor’s office, for example. If you need, for example, a Brazilian dentist or are trying to find a local dentist who speaks your language, searching for Continue Reading No Comments

More people today are taking a harder and more serious look at their teeth. We are now living with generations of parents teaching good dental care and hygiene to their children. And that is great progress! They impress upon them how important it is to take care of their teeth not only their dental care but for their overall heath as well.

Dentists and cosmetic dentistry can now help determine if a person has diabetes, heart disease, and liver diseases. In fact, nearly 46% of adults 30 years or older have some form of gum disease. In part, the problem lies in the fact that the State of Florida does not mandate fluoridation in public water systems. According to fluoridalert.org, in 2014, only 77.6% of Florida state public water systems were fluoridated. That does not include those using well water.

Today, almost 90% of adults over the age of 20 suffer from some level of tooth decay. We don’t want that for our children. So, it’s the kids who receive most of the dental care in this country. Children are typically seen for the first time for dental care starting at three years old, but irregular bites usually are visible in children from six years old to 12. Regular orthodontic care normally begins between the ages of eight and 14. Some take longer to correct depending on the individual case.

But we adults needn’t deny ourselves the pleasure of a great, straight, white smile! We, too, want to look and feel more confident with every smile! Cosmetic dentistry is widely available around the country and many cosmetic dentists are willing to work in various ways to allow people to afford teeth whitening, dental implants, or teeth bonding to get the smile they want to show the world!

If you are too embarrassed to smile big because of poor dental care, take heart! Cosmetic dentistry is helping many adults now looking for solutions like tooth crowns and dental implants as well as veneers. Even a root canal isn’t as scary as they once were.

Many people who use over-the-counter teeth whitening products are spending an estimated $1.4 billion yearly. Yet, about 82.5% of people saw a noticeable difference after having their teeth whitened by a dentist as part of their dental care routine. Overall the teeth whitening business is running at nearly $11 billion per year. So, put on that big, bright Hawaiian shirt and that new smile and say “CHEESE!” for the next selfie! Then go show it to your cosmetic dentist.

Have you always dreamed of having a beautiful smile? More than half of the adult U.S. population surveyed over age 50 agree that a smile is the only physical feature that stays the most attractive as we age, according to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Fortunately, with improvements to cosmetic dentistry, there are many options to achieve that desirable and beautiful smile that you have always dreamed of. Follow these tips as you prepare for your first cosmetic dentistry visit.

Be up to date with your family dentist

Your dental health should always come before your cosmetic dentistry needs. General dentistry includes regular cleanings, dentist check ups, and dail

Do you wish you could improve your smile? If you said “Yes,” 32% of people agree with you and say they are concerned about the appearance of their smile as well. Whether it is from a missing tooth, crooked teeth, or yellowed or stained teeth, cosmetic dentistry offers options to help you fix the problem. Here are some of the ways you can find the best smile with your family dentist.


1. Invisalign. Invisalign is a safe and affordable choice for people who want to fix crooked teeth without expensive orthodontic braces. Many adults have uneven teeth, but they might avoid braces because they feel they are only for children and teens. Fortunately, we have Invisalign braces which are clear and barely noticeable. Your dentist creates the mold which gently moves your teeth into alignment slowly as you

Everybody loves to smile. It’s a simple action that makes you and those around you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Smiles come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but healthy smiles are always the best smiles.

Over 99 percent of adults agree that a healthy smile is socially important, according to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. In addition, the majority of adults over age 50 believe that of all physical features, the smile stays the most attractive as the body ages.

Even though teeth are key to a healthy, attractive smile, not all teeth manage to stand the test of time. Aging, tooth decay and unforeseen circumstances can take a toll on the smile. Cosmetic dentistry provides many solutions for a smile with missing teeth, but one stands out among the rest: dental implants. Dental implants allow people to maintain healthy smiles well into old age.

Of the available cosmetic solutions, dental implants most closely resemble the form and function of natural teeth. With such a realistic option, it’s no wonder why more people are turning to dental implants to fill the gaps in their smiles.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, dental implants offer patients the following benefits:

1. Dental implants provide patients with durable teeth that are built to last, making them a long-term cost-effective solution missing teeth.
2. Dental implants function like real teeth, meaning they allow patients to eat and speak without any of the difficulties associated with dentures.
3. Dental implants not only fill in the gaps in your mouth, they also protect your healthy teeth.

The increasing popularity of dental implants is evident: 3 million people have dental implants, and that number increases by 500,000 every year. Likewise, 10 percent of U.S. dentists provide dental implants, and that number is also increasing.

A healthy smile is an attractive smile, and life sometimes gets in the way of a healthy smile. Dental implants are just one of many ways cosmetic dentistry can put you back on the track to a happy, healthy and attractive smile.

It?s recommended by dentists all over the globe that promoting good oral health early will definitely help your child avoid and teeth related complication in their future years. Although you may think that it is not necessary to emphasize dental habits until adult teeth begin to come in around age six, baby teeth act as placeholders for the permanent teeth, and damage to them can cause substantial problems later. According to reports 19 percent of children aged 2 to 19 have untreated dental caries. Good dental care can start as soon as your baby?s teeth are visible which typically begins at approximately four months of age. At first, you might want to use a washcloth to clean your child?s teeth and eventually move to a small toothbrush one their gums get use to the brushing process.

But what about

Orthodontists and dentists are both in the field of oral health, yet they both have a specific job function that separates them from each other. What most patients do not realize in that, depending on the condition needs most people make the mistake of going to see a dentist for a treatment that they do not specialize in. Their academic and certificate requirement might be similar, and they are both doctors in their respected fields, but the type of teeth related issues they treat are quite different.

How does an orthodontist compared to a Dentist
An orthodontist specializes in a specific kind of oral care that specializes in general dentistry do not cover. Due

Have you been thinking about cosmetic dentistry options for a while? Many people dream of a healthy and beautiful looking smile, but put off the initial consultation or are not sure where to begin. Cosmetic dentistry does not have to be scary or intimidating. It also does not have to be an extremely complex process. There tends to be a lot of myths associated with cosmetic dentistry. If you are considering improving the overall look of your smile, avoid letting these common myths turn you away.

Cosmetic dentistry is extremely painful

Many dental procedures get the bad stigmatization of being painful. In fact, a fear of pain is one of the most common causes of avoiding the dentist, both for cosmetic and dental health reasons. Whether you require oral surgery or dental implants, there are